Police: Collaboration leads to convictions, gun seizures

Local, state and federal agencies are teaming up to fight the growing drug and gun trafficking trade in Vermont.

At a Montpelier news conference Wednesday, authorities from multiple agencies announced a year-long collaborative effort that’s working to slow down the region’s gun and drug trade.

Authorities said the collaborative has led to 15 convictions and 26 firearm seizures.

Officials said drugs and weapons trafficking are the top crime generators in Central Vermont.

“Sadly it's still a small proportion of life in Vermont, but it is a proportion that we really need to deal with,” said U.S. Attorney for Vermont Tris Coffin.

“Not one community can do it and not one community owns the problem,” said Barre City Police Chief Timothy Bombardier.

The announcement recognized for the first time the joint work between local police, Vermont State Police, the Department of Justice and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms.

“Drug crimes have led to instances of violent crime here in our city,” said Montpelier Mayor John Hollar.

Authorities referenced a November 2011 shooting in the Capital City that these numerous agencies helped investigate.

“That case is the most recent sentencing that is the result of a really excellent cooperate effort between federal, state and local law enforcement,” Coffin said.

Hours before the press conference, a judge sentenced Leonard Touzin to nine years in prison Wednesday. Jaimour Anderson, who police said was also involved in the shooting, has previously been sentenced to 11 years.

Police said both men stormed a house on Baldwin St. in Montpelier and shot a man in the leg. Investigators said the event was drug and gang related, and it happened right now the street from the Statehouse.

“We started approaching this case like we normally would one case at a time, and as this case developed we realized the network,” said Montpelier Police Chief Anthony Facos.

A third person believed to be involved has not been arrested.

Authorities said there are many investigations that are ongoing.

“They have some co-conspirators that are still on the outside,” said Barre Mayor Thom Lauzon. “We're looking forward to reuniting them with their friends in prison and we're committed to doing that.”

Investigators added the drugs involved in that shooting included heroin.

Police previously told NewsChannel 5 in a two-part series on the drug trade that more involving heroin were popping up across both sides of Lake Champlain.

Police agencies agree more hard drug use is making for more crime across our region -- something this latest collaboration is working against.

Copyright 2012 byWPTZ All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.